Foot pedal positioning device

ABSTRACT

A positioning device particularly adapted for foot pedal controls and the like consisting of a foot shaped platform for receiving a foot pedal control and including one or more heel stops which automatically position the user&#39;&#39;s heel in front of the foot pedal control. The platform also includes an antifriction bottom surface such as foam rubber or suction cups which prevent the platform from becoming accidentally dislodged from its normal operating position.

United States Patent [151 3,667,316 Valletti et al. v 51 June 6, 197254] FOOT PEDAL POSITIONING DEVICE 533.445 2/1895 Denison ..74/560 x [72]lnventors: Rose Valletti; Angela Arone, both of 241 p Examine, wi1|iamOD North Long Beach, Freeport, L. 1., NY. Assistant Examiner-F. D.Shoemaker 1 1520 Attorney-Allison C. Collard [22] Filed: Mar. 11, 1971[57] ABSTRACT App!" 123376 A positioning device particularly adapted forfoot pedal controls and the like consisting of a foot shaped platformfor receiving a foot pedal control and including one or more heel [52]$5.3! stops which automatically position the user,s heel in from of [5 1f g l the foot pedal control. The platform also includes an anti-fric-[58] Field of Search 74/564, 563, 562.5, 562, 561, on bottom SurfaceSuch as foam rubber or Suction cups 74/560 which prevent the platformfrom becoming accidentally dislodged from its normal operating position.[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 520,072 5/1894 McKee ..74/560X 6 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUN 6 m2 24 INVENTORS. ROSEAkigTTl RN L 5 ATTORNEY This invention relates to a foot pedalpositioning device for mounting a foot pedal control to operate amachine and the like.

More specifically, this invention relates to a foot pedal positioningdevice having a platform for securing a foot pedal control and includingpositioning members for locating the persons foot, and a means forpreventing the platform from sliding on a floor surface.

Foot pedal controls which are used to control electric machinery such assewing machines, dictating machines and the like, often consist of footoperated switches built into metal castings I and having a top surfacewhich can be depressed by the users foot to operate the machine. In manyinstances, such as on smooth floors, the foot pedal controls becomedislocated from their normal operating positions after repeated use.Attempts to overcome this problem have consisted of permanently securingthe foot pedals to the floor surface or weighting the foot pedal so asto prevent it from sliding on the floor surface. These attempts have notbeen successful since in many instances, the foot pedals cannot besecured to hard floor surfaces and often must be changed or moved as themachinery is relocated.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a foot pedal positioningdevice which not only aids the user in locating his foot with respect tothe foot pedal control, but also provides a means for demountablysecuring the foot pedal to a floor surface. In the present invention, aplatform is provided by which the foot pedal control is secured. Behindthe foot pedal control is mounted one or more stops for receiving theheel of the users foot so that the user can pivot his heel against theheel stop during normal operation of the foot pedal. Moreover, thepositioning device of the invention includes, along the bottom surfaceof its platform, a slip resistant means consisting of a foam rubber pador suction cup arrangement so as to prevent the platform from sliding onthe floor surface.

It is therefore an object according to the present invention to providea foot pedal positioning device which permits the user to automaticallyposition his foot with respect to a foot pedal control.

It is another object according to the present invention to provide afoot pedal positioning device which permits the user to maintain thefoot pedal control at a desired location adjacent to an operatingmachine.

It is still another object according to the present invention to providea foot pedal control which is simple in design, inexpensive tomanufacture, and reliable in operation.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed description considered in connection withthe accompanying drawing which discloses the embodiments of theinvention. It is to be understood, however, that the drawing is designedfor the purpose of illustration only and not as a definition of thelimits of the invention.

In the drawing, wherein similar reference characters denote similarelements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an operating machine, such as a sewingmachine, having the foot pedal positioning device of the inventionlocated below the machine;

FIG. 2 is a side-view of the foot pedal positioning device of thepresent invention having a padded platform mounted on a flat floorsurface; and

FIG. 3 is a side view of another embodiment of the foot pedalpositioning device retained on the floor surface by means of suctioncups.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown the foot pedal positioningdevice disposed on a floor surface 25 below an operating machine, suchas a sewing machine 1 1. Machine 11 is customarily mounted on a table 15and is connected by means of electrical cord 14 to positioning device10. A second electrical cord 13 connects to plug 12 which provides powerto machine 11. Positioning device 10 consists of a springloaded pedal 18preferabl havin a roughened surface 26 for receiving the users foot 7.Ped 18 is pivoted on axis 27 to control box 19 which contains electricalcontrol switches for coupling the power from conductor 13 throughconductor 14 to machine 11. Mounted behind control box 19 on a footprintshaped platform 30 is an inclined heel supporting ramp 2]. A heel stop20, which is designed for engagement with the back part of the usersheel 31, closes the back end of ramp 21. Heel stop 20 projectsvertically above the level of inclined ramp 2]. Secured to the bottom ofsupporting platform 3] in the embodiment of FIG. 2 is a cushioning pad16 which is preferably constructed of a rubber foam, impregnated with alatex cement which stays sticky or tacky after drying, so that pad 16preferably becomes demountably secured to floor surface 25.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in detail in FIG. 3,whereby suction cups 24 are mounted on each end of the platform. Suctioncups 24 include levers 23 which flatten the suction cups when bent intothe position as shown in FIG. 3, so that the platform can become adheredto a smooth floor surface. In order to release the suction cups to moveplatform 30, the user need only move levers 23 into a vertical positionwith the toe of his foot and slide the platform to a new desirableposition.

Platform 30, ramp 21 and stop 20 of the subject invention are preferablyconstructed of a rigid material, such as wood, metal or plastic, and pad16 is preferably constructed of a foam rubber material impregnated withan adhesive which remains tacky or sticky over long periods of time.

While only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may bemade thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:

l. A foot pedal positioning device for demountably securing a foot pedalcontrol to a flat surface comprising;

a footprint shaped platform for supporting the foot pedal control on thefront portion of its top surface,

a heel receiving inclined ramp secured on the top surface of saidplatform adjacent to the foot pedal control, a heel stop secured on theend of said inclined ramp adjacent to the rear portion of said platform,and

demountable securing means mounted on the bottom surface of saidplatform for demountably securing the platform to the flat surface.

2. The foot pedal positioning device as recited in claim 1, wherein saiddemountable securing means comprises a pad of foam rubber mounted on thebottom surface of the platform.

3. The foot pedal positioning device as recited in claim 2, wherein saidfoam rubber pad additionally comprises a latex cement impregnated in thefoam rubber pad for maintaining a tacky surface in contact with the flatsurface upon which the platform is to be mounted.

4. The foot pedal positioning device as recited in claim 1, wherein saiddemountable securing means comprises at least one suction cup mounted onthe bottom surface of said platform for contact with the flat surface.

5. The foot pedal positioning device as recited in claim 4, wherein saidsuction cup additionally includes an activating lever mounted on the topsurface of the platform for activating and deactivating the suction cup.

6. The foot pedal positioning device as recited in claim 1 additionallycomprising a second heel stop mounted on thetop surface of said platformadjacent to the foot pedal control and spaced apart from the first heelstop. I

1. A foot pedal positioning device for demountably securing a foot pedalcontrol to a flat surface comprising; a footprint shaped platform forsupporting the foot pedal control on the front portion of its topsurface, a heel receiving inclined ramp secured on the top surface ofsaid platform adjacent to the foot pedal control, a heel stop secured onthe end of said inclined ramp adjacent to the rear portion of saidplatform, and demountable securing means mounted on the bottom surfaceof said platform for demountably securing the platform to the flatsurface.
 2. The foot pedal positioning device as recited in claim 1,wherein said demountable securing means comprises a pad of foam rubbermounted on the bottom surface of the platform.
 3. The foot pedalpositioning device as recited in claim 2, wherein said foam rubber padadditionally comprises a latex cement impregnated in the foam rubber padfor maintaining a tacky surface in contact with the flat surface uponwhich the platform is to be mounted.
 4. The foot pedal positioningdevice as recited in claim 1, wherein said demountable securing meanscomprises at least one suction cup mounted on the bottom surface of saidplatform for contact with the flat surface.
 5. The foot pedalpositioning device as recited in claim 4, wherein said suction cupadditionally includes an activating lever mounted on the top surface ofthe platform for activating and deactivating the suction cup.
 6. Thefoot pedal positioning device as recited in claim 1 additionallycomprising a second heel stop mounted on the top surface of saidplatform adjacent to the foot pedal control and spaced apart from thefirst heel stop.